Elina Svitolina is currently in Kharkiv, where she decided to spend some time with Ukrainian fighters and also pose with a rocket launcher and a machine gun.
Since Day 1 of the war in Ukraine, the former world No. 3 has been trying to use her platform and position to draw attention to what is happening back home. And it didn’t stop only at words as the 30-year-old organized a couple of charity events, from which all proceedings went to Ukraine relief fund.
While the situation back home is far from perfect, Svitolina has made several visits to her country since the war began. Now that it is the offseason, the 17-time WTA champion returned to the place where her tennis career basically kickstarted – she was born in Odesa but moved to Kharkiv at 12 to give herself a better chance at succeeding in tennis.
“Kharkiv has a special place in my heart. The city that gave the feeling of real home when I started my professional career here at 12 years old. The city that continues to provide warmth and protection during the great war. If you ask me, where do I find the motivation to fight in sports arenas? This is my country, my people, my Kharkiv and our heroes,” Svitolina captioned her Instagram post.
